Rainbow Drive-in, Honolulu, Hawaii

A plate lunch is a must try in Hawaii as I was told by Lobster Dynamite. It is considered as ‘local food’ in the sense that it reflects the fusion of the local cultures and ethnicity. Lobster Dynamite suggested that we go to the Rainbow Drive-in, this place has been around for over 45 years and boasts to serve some of the ‘cheapest and best plate lunches to Hawaii and the world’.

A ‘plate lunch’ consists of entrée, 2 scoops of rice, 1 scoop macaroni salad or slaw. There were many choices ranging from fried chicken, ham steak, bbq steak, cutlets, corned beef and many more. Alternatively, there are also burgers, sandwiches and other miscellaneous items. The description of each food can be found below.

I couldn’t go past the pork cutlet with gravy ($7.25) – and what a generous serving it was! The pork were on the thin side but tender, and the gravy although thick was a wonderful complement. I really enjoyed the macaroni salad.

‘The Mother’ wanted something different; he got the mahi sandwich with lettuce ($4.50) and a side of fries. The mahi sandwich was very simple – mahi, lettuce and that was pretty much it. It was pretty tasty though, very simple and very good.

He also ordered a medium float ($3.00) which he absolutely loved! He glared at me every time I asked for a sip.

Lobster Dynamite ordered the beef with gravy, very similar to mine.

He also ordered a cheese burger which was $2.50! How can he resist a burger for $2.50 he claimed! Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of this as he pretty much scoffed it down before I could even press ‘click’.

Service nill, you order your food at the counter and wait for you food. Seating is very minimal, especially during peak hour – so come early or come a little after peak hour. Reasonably priced and generous serving. It is quite close to the beach so if there are no seating; you can always stroll down the beach and have it there. Unfortunately for us, it wasn’t beach weather, so we ate there, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Related

OMG! Look at all that awesome gravy!! Did you know that the macaroni salad side they use in Hawaii including the one the came with your dishes is Filipino macaroni salad! 🙂 did u get to try the loco moco?